KORONADAL CITY, Philippines — A member of an indigenous people’s (IP) group, who won in the recent elections for the provincial council of South Cotabato, took his oath of office here yesterday.
Antonio Fungan took his oath before Judge Vicente Pena during a ceremony held at a local hotel. He is the first IP member to be elected to the provincial council.
Aside from Fungan, Pena also administered the oath of other officials who won in the recent elections, including Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez and Vice Gov. Vicente de Jesus as well as the other winning board members.
Fungan, who garnered more than 120,000 votes, was accompanied by his wife, children and some leaders of the B’laan tribe.
He said he was honored for being considered as “the first Indigenous People” elected to the legislative council of the province.
Fungan served as mayor of Lake Sebu before he ran for the provincial council under the PDP-Laban and NPC coalition.